With Chelsea returning to winning ways in the clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stamford Bridge regulars can turn their attentions back to the January transfer window for a couple of days and it seems that manager Enzo Maresca will get his wish to see the first team squad trimmed a little bit more before the end of the month if recent reports are to be believed.
As is now typical at Chelsea following our spending in more recent seasons, the speculation rumour mill has bombarded fans with both incoming rumours, as well as a significant number of potential departures over the past few weeks, and with us now squarely at the business end of the New Year window it is being claimed that interested clubs are now finally putting in firm offers so negotiations can truly begin.
22 year old midfielder Cesare Casadei had been namechecked with a possible departure this month, but many wondered if it would simply be a third loan spell away from Chelsea to aid his development and experience following his arrival from Serie A side Inter Milan as a youth prospect back in 2022. However, reports in Italy are now suggesting that Lazio have tabled a formal £11.5 million offer for the youngster, and in an effort to fend off interest from Torino and Dutch side Feyenoord, they are willing to agree a future sell on clause in our favour as well.
Maresca has used Casadei six times this season but it has been exclusively in Cup competitions, namely the League Cup and our Europa Conference League campaign, and it appears he is willing to let the Italian Under 21 international go. But if accurate, it is an interesting opening gambit from Lazio, as although we would not necessarily profit on the fee we paid for him, we would at least break even.
Renato Veiga has been a regular name on the rumour mill the last few weeks and he is again being mentioned in the same breath as fellow Italian side Juventus. Short of the Old Lady once again being said to have a real interest in him, there is not really anything new being offered in the speculation, but this is certainly falling into the bracket of transfer speculation that just will not go away.
21 year old Veiga has also been used by Maresca pretty regularly at points this season, albeit he only has one Premier League appearance to his name, but he is a player we would expect to make a more immediate profit on if required under the Financial Fair Play rules. The press update really only offers that the player is now attempting to push for a move himself.
England international Ben Chilwell’s departure has really only been a matter of time as the 28 year old has long been out of favour this season, with only one appearance coming in the League Cup back in September.
A number of clubs have been credited with having an interest in him, but a potential transfer deal here has always hinged on the fee given his age and what we initially paid Leicester City for him, and presumably another club being willing to cover his wages in full.
As we tick ever closer to Deadline Day, the full make up of the Chelsea squad for the second half of the campaign should become a lot clearer for True Blue fans.